Designing the Future of Work: A Literature Review Framing How AI Shapes Engineering Practice

Abstract

This paper reviews literature in Engineering, Economics, and Science and Technology Studies (STS) to generate a conceptual framework explaining the role and impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on engineering work. In recent years, with the growth of AI capabilities, labour analysts have raised concerns about job replacement and displacement in routine work. However, the extent to which AI impacts engineering work, and how social and technical factors influence these changes, is unclear.  Findings from this literature review indicate four discrete impacts on engineers’ work—replacement, augmentation, transformation, and enhancement—which differ along four dimensions—the nature of the task (routine/non-routine; technical/social); competencies (high/low skillsets), mindsets (open/closed to AI), and organizational factors (hierarchical/flat; supports/constraints).   We illustrate the relationships between these factors through a conceptual framework that will serve as the groundwork for further, empirical research.